U.S. Senate Scorecard

***Following are the 5 critical votes in 114th Congress we consider for endorsement. We only endorse and support candidates that are both pro-life and Democrat. Candidates that vote or pledge to support all 5 votes receive a “5 Star Rating” and receive automatic endorsement.

To see how your Member voted, please click here. We only rank Democratic Members since we do not endorse Republicans.

1. September 22, 2015. H.R. 36, The Pain Capable Unborn Protection Act– This was a procedural vote to allow the Senate to begin debate on legislation to ban all abortions from 20 weeks (22 weeks after the woman’s last period) except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. 20 weeks is the time when a prenatal child is known to experience pain. The vote failed to garner the necessary 60 votes. Key vote: Roll Call No. 268. Result: The bill failed by a vote of 54 to 42. (Under Senate rules, the Senate needed 60 votes to proceed with consideration of the legislation.)

Why this was important: The US is just one of 7 nations that allows abortion after 20 weeks. Recent studies have indicated that preborn children can feel pain. Further, medical advancements have pushed the viability standard set in law over 40 years ago

2. August 3, 2015. S. 1881, To prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. This was a procedural vote to allow the Senate to begin debate on legislation to prohibit Federal funding to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. The legislation did not reduce funding for women’s health. Key vote: Roll Call No. 262. Result: The bill failed by a vote of 53 to 46. (Under Senate rules, the Senate needed 60 votes to proceed with consideration of the legislation.)

Why this is important: Planned Parenthood, the number one abortion provider in the nation, takes money away from Community Health Centers and other health care clinics that provide comprehensive care to women. Almost 80 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services are STD Testing/Treatment, contraception and abortion. DFLA’s position is that limited federal funds should be allocated to organization, such as Community Health Centers, that provide comprehensive healthcare.

3. July 26, 2015. Amendment No. 2328, Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Educational Reconciliation Act of 2010 in its entirety. DFLA Opposes the repeal. Key vote: Roll Call No. 253. Result: The bill failed by a vote of 49 to 43. (Under Senate rules, the Senate needed 60 votes to proceed with consideration of the legislation.)

Why this is important: The ACA provides access to affordable health care to all families regardless of pre-existing conditions which is critical for families to feel supported in bring children into this world. Repealing the legislation would eliminate lifesaving healthcare for millions of Americans.

4. April 22, 2015. Amendment No. 301 to S. 178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. The legislation would curb sex trafficking crimes by creating a Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund that would levy fines against perpetrators and provide additional resources to assist the victims. The Leahy Amendment would strike the Hyde language, which prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion, from the bill. Roll Call No. 301. Result: The Amendment failed by a vote of 43 to 55.

Why this is important: There is longstanding policy that prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion. The legislation should focus on helping victims of crime, not subsidizing abortion.

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Democrats For Life of America advocates and supports programs and policies that respect and promote life from conception to natural death. This includes, but is not limited to, opposition to abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia. Learn more...